For once, a statement made by Vijayawada MP Lagadapati Rajagopal had the effect of leaving Seemandhra leaders fuming with anger, a marked departure from the affect his words generally have on separate Telangana leaders and activists.

Mr Rajagopal words, that he would not mind accepting Telangana as a separate state if only it would be the last state to be carved out in the country, drew a sharp response from Congress MLA and staunch supporter of YSR Congress Party president YS Jaganmohan Reddy Srikanth Reddy.

Mr Srikanth Reddy wondered before media persons at the Assembly Media Point as to what had given Mr Rajagopal the right to speak on behalf of the Seemandhra people. “Who is he to speak on behalf of Seemandhra people and say that he is ready to accept thebifurcation of the state?,” the MLA questioned.

He added, “Mr Lagadapati Rajagopal cannot impose his personal decisions on the Congress party. How can speak on behalf of Seemandhra leaders without taking their opinions on the statehood?” Mr Srikanth Reddy further opined that Mr Rajagopal’s statement would have a provocative affect among the people and may create law and order situation in the state.

The Congress MLA reiterated that he stands by Integrated Andhra Pradesh. “I will share the feelings of region’s people with the High Command whenever necessary,” he said. Responding to the High Court ordering the Central Bureau of Investigation probe into amassing of wealth by Mr Jaganmohan Reddy, Mr Srikanth Reddy said that the party activists are ready to face any kind of situation. Expressing confidence that Mr Jaganmohan Reddy would come clean from allegations, he said that “politicians should not drag courts into politics.”